The 'Ikale Tahi team for the Japan PNC 2012 [1]
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 17:27. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
The 'Ikale Tahi squad of 28 players for the 2012 Pacific Nations Cup PNC tournament to be held in Japan next month, June was announced by the Tonga Rugby Union this morning, May 22.
The squad:
Props
1 'Ofa Fainga'anuku – Eastern Suburbs, Australia
2 Tevita Mailau – Auckland Blues, New Zealand
3 Sila Puafisi – Counties Manukau, New Zealand
4 Kisi Pulu – Perpignan, France
Hookers
5 'Ilaisa Ma'asi – Counties Manukau, New Zealand
6 Viliami Pola – Timaru, South Canterbury
Locks
7 Joe Tu'ineau – Montpellier, France
8 Joshua Afu – Carcarsson, France
9 Tukulua Lokotui – Kintetsu Liners, Japan
Loose Forwards
10 Sione Kalamafoni – Gloucester, England
11 Steven Mafi – Leicester Tigers, England
12 Paula Kaho – Canberra Vikings, Australia
13 Sione Vaiomo'unga – Toloa Old Boys, Tonga
14 'Osaiasi Pepa Koloamatangi – Counties Manukau, New Zealand
15 Viliami Ma'afu – Glasgow, Scotland
Halfbacks
16 Taniela Moa – Pau, France
17 Thomas Palu – Municipal Timisovava, Romania
Flyhalf
18 Kurt Morath - Japan
19 Eddie Paea – Australia
Centres
20 Sefa Vaka - Toyota Shokki, JAPAN
21 Mafile'o Kefu – Dax, France
22 Siale Piutau – Otago Highlanders, New Zealand
23 Kilifi Latu – Spartans, Tonga
24 'Alipate Fatafehi – Lyon, France
Wings
25 Fetu'u Vainikolo – Connacht, Ireland
26 Alaska Taufa – Akita Northern Bullets, Japan
27 Daniel Kilioni – Havelu Bulldogs, Tonga
Fullback
28 Viliame 'Iongi – Scarlets, WALES
Management
29 Toutai Kefu, Interim Head Coach
30 Sateki Tu'ipulotu, Interim Assistant Coach
31 Chris Hickey, Technical Advisor
32 Dr Uiliami Fuokofuka, Team Manager
33 Siaosi Lepuha Faka'osi, Assistant Team Manager
34 Dr Siale Hausia, Team Doctor
35 Faupula Kolokihakaufisi, Strength and Conditioning Trainer
36 Tim Gray, Physiotherapist
The non-travelling reserves are:
1 Richard 'Aho (Prop) Penrith, Australia
2 Sione Timani (Lock) Scarlets, Wales
3 Sione Vaioleti (Loose Forward) Counties Manukau, New Zealand
4 Samiu Vahafolau (Loose Forward) France
5 Samisoni Fisilau (Halfback) Counties Manukau, New Zealand
6 Kuki Ma'afu (Wing) Eastern Suburbs, Australia
7 Sione Piukala (Centre) Eastwood, Australia
8 Damien Fakafanua (Centre) Parramatta, Australia
9 Mateo Malupo (Wing) Northland, New Zealand
10 Viliami Hakalo (Wing) Spartans, Tonga.
Fifteen members of the squad will depart Tonga on June 1, and some will travel from Auckland, Sydney, France, and the United Kingdom, and they will assemble in Tokyo on June 2 together with some of the players who are already in Japan.
The draw for the 2012 PNC is as follows:
Round 1:
Tuesday 5 June 2012, Nagoya Municipal Mizuho Park Rugby Ground, Nagoya
17:10hrs Samoa versus Tonga
19:10hrs Fiji versus Japan
Round 2:
Sunday 10 June 2012, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo
12:10hrs Fiji versus Samoa
14:10hrs Japan versus Tonga
Round 3:
Sunday 17 June 2012, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo
14:10hrs Samoa versus Japan
Saturday 23 June 2012, Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji
15:40hrs Fiji versus Tonga
On the weekend of June 16/17, the Japanese Rugby Union has agreed to host the 'Ikale Tahi for a game against a Japan Juniors on Friday June 15 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo. Kick-off at 16:00hrs.